[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 173 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H7415-H7416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TROOPER JOSHUA D. MILLER POST OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2415) to designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 11 Dock Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as the
``Trooper Joshua D. Miller Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2415
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TROOPER JOSHUA D. MILLER POST OFFICE BUILDING.
(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 11 Dock Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania,
shall be known and designated as the ``Trooper Joshua D.
Miller Post Office Building''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ``Trooper Joshua D. Miller Post Office
Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Farenthold) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within
[[Page H7416]]
which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous
material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H.R. 2415, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Barletta) would designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 11 Dock Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as the
``Trooper Joshua D. Miller Post Office Building.''
This bill is cosponsored by the entire Pennsylvania State delegation,
and was favorably reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform on the 3rd of November.
Mr. Speaker, while we've considered multiple bills this afternoon to
designate postal facilities for fallen military heroes, H.R. 2415 gives
us the opportunity to honor those who wear a different kind of
uniform--our country's law enforcement officers.
Specifically, this legislation would name the post office in
Pittston, Pennsylvania, for Joshua Miller, a Pennsylvania State trooper
who was shot and killed in the line of duty on June 7, 2009.
A veteran of the Marine Corps, Trooper Miller was attempting to save
a 9-year-old boy from a man who had kidnapped a child at gunpoint when
he was tragically shot by the suspect. For going above and beyond a
police officer's duty to protect and serve, I thank Trooper Miller and
all of those who wear the badge on a daily basis for their selfless
service and dedication to our community.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield as much time as he
may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of
Pennsylvania, the sponsor of this legislation, Mr. Barletta.
Mr. BARLETTA. I thank the gentleman from Texas for those kind
remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the life and remember the
sacrifice of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Joshua D. Miller of
Pittston.
Trooper Miller was shot and killed on June 7, 2009, while attempting
to apprehend a kidnapper who took a 9-year-old boy from his mother at
gunpoint and fled. As he and his partner were trying to apprehend the
suspect, Trooper Miller was shot in the upper chest and in the leg.
While they returned fire, another State trooper and a local law
enforcement officer were able to smash the window in the kidnapper's
vehicle, grab the 9-year-old boy and carry him to safety.
Trooper Miller was flown to a hospital, but he died from his wounds.
Josh was born on June 13, 1974, a son of Walter Miller of Pittston
and Peggy Miller of Plymouth. Josh graduated from Pittston Area High
School, class of 1992. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in
1993, serving honorably and achieving the rank of corporal before his
discharge.
Upon separation from active duty, Josh worked at the Monroe County
Correctional Facility. He enrolled at Lackawanna Junior College and
attended the Act 120 course. Upon graduation, Josh joined the
Tunkhannock Borough Police Department in 1999. He worked there until
September of 2002, when he joined the Pennsylvania State Police.
Trooper Miller first worked at the Bethlehem barracks, then at the
Swiftwater barracks in Monroe County. While there, he was selected to
be a member of an elite unit that conducted aggressive patrols. Trooper
Miller took pride in training new troopers and hoped to instill his
work ethic in them.
In 2001, Josh met his wife, Angela, and they were married in October
of 2005. He had three daughters: Justine, Breana, and Joslyn.
After his death, thousands attended his viewing. More than 1,700 law
enforcement officers from across the country attended his funeral.
During the service, then-Governor Ed Rendell awarded Trooper Miller a
posthumous Medal of Honor.
On the day he was shot and killed in the line of duty, Trooper Miller
sent an email to a colleague. In it he wrote, ``I will not let anything
happen to my brothers on my watch.''
After years of dedicated service as a U.S. Marine, as a law
enforcement officer, and as a Pennsylvania State Police trooper,
Trooper Miller ended his final watch on June 7, 2009. He died while
saving a boy from a kidnapper with a gun. He died serving his
community, his commonwealth, and his country.
That is why I encourage you to support H.R. 2415 and name the United
States Postal Service facility at 11 Dock Street, Pittston,
Pennsylvania, the ``Trooper Joshua D. Miller Post Office Building.''
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in strong support of H.R. 2415, a bill to designate the
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11 Dock Street
in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as the ``Trooper Joshua D. Miller Post
Office Building.''
The measure before us was authored by Congressman Lou Barletta, and
cosponsored by all of the members of the Pennsylvania delegation.
H.R. 2415 was favorably reported out of the House Oversight and
Government Reform Committee by unanimous consent on November 3, 2011.
{time} 1740
Pennsylvania State Trooper Joshua D. Miller spent his life serving
his country, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and his local community.
Born to Walter and Peggy Miller in 1974, Trooper Miller enlisted in
the Marine Corps in 1993. Upon discharge, he returned to Pennsylvania
and joined the Tunkhannock Borough Police Department before becoming a
Pennsylvania State trooper.
Trooper Miller was a member of an elite unit of troopers assigned to
handle the most dangerous cases. He made the ultimate sacrifice in the
line of duty while trying to rescue a 9-year-old boy who had been
kidnapped at gunpoint and was being held hostage. The young boy was
ultimately released and returned safely to his family.
On the day of his death, Trooper Miller wrote in an email to a
colleague: ``I will not let anything happen to my brothers on my
watch.'' His life exemplified his commitment to serving his community
and protecting his fellow officers.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that we pass H.R. 2415 to recognize the life and
sacrifice of Pennsylvania State Trooper Joshua D. Miller.
I have no requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in
strong support of H.R. 2415.
I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Farenthold) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2415.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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